The Book of a Generation: The 20th Copy
Siddhartha. Eine indische Dichtung. Erste bis sechste Auflage.
8vo. 146, (6) pp. Publisher's half vellum with red batik paper covers; gilt title to spine and upper cover. Top edge green. Stored in custom-made red half morocco clamshell case with gilt spine title.
De luxe issue of the first edition: no. 20 of 50 numbered copies, printed specially for the author and signed "Hermann Hesse". On the front free endpaper Hesse penned an additional inscription to the Austrian gynaecologist Josef von Halban (1870-1937): "Für Herrn / Hofrat Dr. J. Halban / von s. ergebenen / Herrmann Hesse".
The regular issue of the first edition was published in 6000 copies; within Hesse's own lifetime the total press run would number 150,000 copies. Today the book counts among "the most widely read works of the 20th century - including translations, the press run is in the double-digit millions" (cf. KNLL).
Binding a little toned as common; interior very clean. An appealing copy.
Mileck II, 43. Waibler E 170. Kliemann/Silomon 41. WG² 122. KNLL VII, 802.
